Illusionist Steve Wyrick's show, "Real Magic," tentatively is set to open Nov. 6. Photo by Clint Karlsen.
Frank Sinatra never allowed women in the Rat Pack. This might be why.
Dick Feeney, producer of "The Rat Pack Is Back," issued a news release Saturday saying Lisa Dawn Miller, wife of "Rat Pack" co-producer and performer Sandy Hackett, has been barred from "all backstage areas, dressing rooms and offices" at the Greek Isles, the show site.
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Feeney, who is Hackett's partner, added that Miller is to be denied comps and is not allowed to act in any official or unofficial capacity as it pertains to his TRP Entertainment.
Reached at his office at the Greek Isles on Saturday night, Feeney characterized the dispute as a case of Miller being "the partner's wife from hell."
Feeney emphasized that he and Hackett, son of legendary comedian Buddy Hackett, "have no problems."
Hackett has been playing Joey Bishop in the show since it opened in 2002
Miller and Hackett were traveling to Los Angeles and did not return telephone calls by deadline.
In a second e-mail to the media, Feeney called Miller an "amateur ... with marginal talent" whose performing credits were either "favors or unpaid gigs."
He scoffed at her CD "Fly Away," saying it ranks 323,826th, according to LML Records, an online record company.
Feeney said by telephone that the "final straw" came when Miller expressed her support on a Web site for Bea Fogelman, who is attempting to challenge the legitimacy of trade names. Fogelman, who specializes in celebrity impersonators, is director of the Entertainment Network and a Las Vegas referral agency.
Miller is the daughter of Ron Miller, who wrote "For Once in My Life," "Touch Me in the Morning," "A Place in the Sun" and Celine Dion's hit "If I Could." He won a Grammy for Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company" collaboration with Gladys Knight.
A BIG TRIQ
Illusionist Steve Wyrick has a special Triq up his sleeve: Included in his $34 million project for a new show at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood is an adjoining nightclub with an ultralounge.
The 27,000-square-foot Triq nightclub will also have a 6,000-square-foot Triq lounge.
"I wanted to do something out of the box: have a headliner put in a monster club," said Wyrick, whose show, "Real Magic," tentatively is set to open Nov. 6 in a new 500-seat theater.
"I feel like I'm bringing something different to the Strip. Guests can watch the show and go right into the nightclub, like Tao, where you eat and go to the nightclub."
Tony Verdugo, who has made a name for himself as a late-night club operator, will run the Triq operation. He started Drai's, Seven and Empire Ballroom.
SIGHTINGS
"Boston Rob" Mariano, who got engaged to Amber Brkich on the finale of "Survivor: All Stars" and married her last year, at Championship Memphis Barbecue, on Rainbow Boulevard on Saturday with Fox camera crews following. Mariano and his wife, who also appeared in "Amazing Race 7," have moved to Las Vegas. ... NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett at the Tim McGraw-Faith Hill concert (Mandalay Bay) on Friday. ... Guitarist Dave Navarro and Playboy's Miss June 2006 Stephanie Larimore, leaving Pure (Caesars Palace) together about 3:30 a.m. after earlier dining with a party at Social House (Treasure Island). ... Kimberly Stewart, Rob Stewart's daughter, at Beacher's Rockhouse (Imperial Palace) on Friday. ... Choreographer Cris Judd, at Hash House A Go Go. ... Mayor Oscar Goodman, joining jazz legend Bobby Morris onstage Friday at "Jazz at the Church," the former First Church of Las Vegas, Third Street and Bridger Avenue. Morris was music conductor for Elvis Presley, among others. ... NBAer Gary Payton, at OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Friday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"The U.S. team, a group of kids from Georgia, beat the Japanese team to win the Little League World Series. You might not think that's much, but Mrs. Wayne Gretzky lost half a million on it." -- David Letterman
